1944 Dodge WC-51 Weapons Carrier

The thought of sitting in my basement, drinking copious amounts of beer, and building scale-models of USN Patrol aircraft for another couple of years seemed harmless enough. However, that solipsism was rudely side-tracked in 2005, when one of the 'voices inside my head' instructed me to refurbish a 1953 Dodge M37. That project became a transmogrification of my childhood preoccupation with erector sets and tinker toys. Albeit, now mixed liberally with a cornucopia of alkaloid toxins, assorted pain killers, and a wide range of hops and grains. That particular collection of bolts and sheet metal typically roll in the same direction and are are all dripping with both oil and charisma.

In September 2006, those 'voices inside my head' returned and instructed me to rebuild a 1944 Dodge WC-51...

As advertised by John Bizal:
Project Truck: Engine is free, but I have not tried to start it. Wrong carb set up. Missing generator and regulator. No front bumper. Hood hinge needs replacing. Wrong seats. Missing cab braces and side skirts. Inner windshield frame missing. No tailgate. Now, what's good about the truck! Truck was rebuilt by the Japan US Army Depot 11/59. Spent the last 45 years in dry California. No rust or rot anywhere. Straight, clean sheetmetal. Four combat wheels. Complete drive line. Here's what comes with the truck: Inner WS frame, hood hinge, used generator and regulator, 2 rear bumperettes, 1 pintle hook, 2 front seats, 2 cab braces, 2 side skirts, 2 brush guards, 2 headlamp buckets, and 1 correct non-winch grill assembly.

This original engine (1944) was rebuilt at the Army ORD Depot in OPPAMA Japan, Job 1-0758 (Jan 1958). The transmission and transfer case were built before the engine (1942, '43, respectively), but they were then rebuilt in 1959, after this engine was rebuilt in 1958. That is, this truck has a frankensteinian drive train. At least the engine/frame #'s match.

Frame: #81692149 (Feb 24, 1944)
Body: #111642 (Feb 24, 1944). Cab is now #81692149
Motor: #214-167698 (Feb 24, 1944). Rebuilt at ORD Depot, Oppama Japan, Job 1-0758 (Jan 1958)
Transmission: Presently #C38126 (Mar 1943). Rebuilt Japan, Shop 60-J, Job 44-243 (Mar 1959)
Transfer case: Presently #C37832 (Jan 1942). Rebuilt Japan, Shop 60-J, Job 25-284 (Jul 1959)
Weight: 5645 lbs

Parts replaced on this WC-51: Brake lines, master cylinder, brake cylinders, fan belt, all gauges, all senders, speedo-cable, entire electrical harness (retained 6V system), coil, distributor, generator, throttle/choke cables, plugs, cowl-seal, vacuum lines and wiper motors, draft seals, horn/switch, seat covers, mirrors, all glass and weather-stripping, spare-tire-mount, 5 tires/tubes/wraps, reflectors, and lock-out hubs.

There is always the question - how much should you restore a 75yo old truck like this. Do you want it looking like it just rolled off the assembly line, or do the small bumps and dings tell a story all their own. Will putting it in "like new condition" preserve history, or does all of that bondo erase it? As I do not know the age of the blemishes, I kept them all.

Parade ready - Fall 2015

Fall 2014 - Test drives were completed with 'minimal' problems (hence the tow strap).

Great thanks are also due to
Ron Dobesh's Auto, NAPA, and
GP-Auto in Brookings, SD.

The USN blue livery on this truck is "correct" for the period. However, finding this "blue-gray" color could have been easier - indeed, what the hell is 'BLUE-GRAY'?